Dangerous Designs (2020)

[Did Balassar want to stop by somewhere to look for weapons? If not, Wash has spent a small fortune, so is happy to return home. He will show Bririck the sturdy bronze pocket clock watch timepiece thing.]

Before leaving, Wash asks the inventor to explain how to tell the time on the timepiece. 

Most impressive, very good workmanship.  Tinkertop, you say? Yes, well, a bit of a story there, I'm afraid.  I imagine he's struggling a little now, but good to see that he's still doing good work.

It's early evening.  You've returned to the Goldcannon estate, and Bririck is inspecting Wash's purchases, and Alton's too if you show him. You sit now in Bririck's study, in four chairs that have been gathered around the fire, after eating an excellent dinner.

I'm glad you've been spending your money too.  No good hoarding it, it's there to be spent, and good for the local economy you know.  So I'm told you have something of a business proposition for me, Master Balassar, is that right?

Balassar just nods clearly uncomfortable with talking business or shop "Well Mr. Goldcannon. I found some of your quality ingots in the mountain, though I didn't know at the time." he pauses holding up his hand "It would've been dishonorable to keep them, but my dad and sis run a blacksmith shop in Zadash. They produce high quality items, just people don't want to buy from them because...well they are nobody low born dragonborn. When I enlisted I was able to convince some people, but I was wondering if you might be willing to reward the finding of your items with helping to either increase business or supplying them with high quality material. I don't need any money if your willing to and I'll lead more expeditions myself to get the rest of the ingots we couldn't grab. I'd just like to see our family shop grow, or at least given the chance to succeed or fail based off more then just our status. I was hoping those ingots would've made an impression and I'm sure they would have but there wouldn't have been honor in using them. So if you can find it in your heart sir could you maybe help my father out..." he just pauses looking down and then back at him "I'd be willing to even forfeit my reward for this current job you hired us for." he just pauses after his rambling hoping the man understand him. He wasn't a swift talker like Alton or Wash, but he was candid and spoke from his heart.

I see.  Bririck takes a moment to think, looking at the ground.  Sadly, I think that your family will not be short of business in the coming months.  Soldiers needs weapons and armour, and I suspect whatever prejudice your family faces will be overruled by the Crownsguard and its needs.  However, and he smiles, I am not one to turn down an opportunity when it presents itself.  You vouch for them, of course?  I will send them...  he thinks some more, seeming to weigh options in his mind.

Balassar, make a Persuasion check.

Balassar just nods "I'd vouch for any of my father and sister any day."

OOC:
Persuasion check: 9

OOC: I'll use the inspiration I have on that one...

10

Bririck smiles.  To be honest, they are in a stronger position than you think, but if they are underworked, I have a major contract for parts coming up.  I will send one of my employees to meet with them, and they will need to show they can do the work, but if all goes well, yes, this could be very useful.  We can always use another skilled smithy.  The contracts will be worth several thousand gold over the coming six months.  Yes, this should work out very nicely.  I will need a letter from you to your family, explaining the matter.

Conversation continues for a few hours, and at the end of the evening Bririck hands Wash a small, sturdy metal box with a combination lock.  It weighs perhaps five pounds.  This is the package for delivery to Ancis Trey of Ackling village; it's so close to Felderwin proper that most folks consider it to be part of the town.  You will find his house in Queen Street, five doors down from the Oppaline Smithy.  

Do you have anything else you want to accomplish in Hupperdook, or to speak to Goldcannon about, before you set off?

"Thank you sir. I promise they will not dishonor you at all and you will be proud of their work. My sister is especially skilled in fine metalworking, should you ever have a need for that skill set. May I borrow some paper, pen, and wax." he waits for the materials as he begins to write, as best as possible the letter to his family explaining what has happened. When it is finished he just rolls it up and drips a little wax on it to and then presses his thumb into it. He will just hand it over to Bririck "I wish I had a better seal for it, but for now my thumbprint and bad handwriting should suffice as proof I wrote it. Though my father would believe you as soon as you began to describe my personality to him as well, fathers always know their sons. Thank you for this, you bring me much honor just hearing me out."

Wash is very fascinated by his portable timepiece and checks it multiple times during the night, shaking his head in wonder. Before going to bed for the night, he asks "approximately what time should we get up to leave tomorrow morning?"

Alton gives Balassar a thumbs up at his negotiation skills with Mr. Goldcannon. Once things have settled down, he will show Goldcannon the two music boxes he purchased and ask if he has heard that third tune before.

Goldcannon looks the boxes over, but does not recognise the tune.  He takes a quick look at the machinery inside and confirms it to be very good work.

[I think we forgot to RP the bit about getting mounts. Are we able to have asked the Goldcannon servant to organise us mounts?]

(I thought we were going to do that when we left Hupperdook, but if Wash wants to see if Goldcannon  to organize mount arrangements I won't object.)

Alton is glad to hear that the music boxes are well made, but is still stumped about that unknown song. Once the evening has settled down, he will take some time to start writing down this adventure into a story.

You can, if you are paying.  I don't think Bririck would offer to pay for mounts for you.

Was Wash's question directed at Balassar and Alton, or at Bririck?

[The question about time was for the rest of the party, but happy for Bririck to provide suggestions and it was said in front of him.

Was definitely thinking we'd need to pay for mounts, but just didn't want it to eat into the next day (unless the others want to RP it).]

Balassar just watches the rest of the interactions, asking for a drink when they also ask for the mounts. For the first time a smile has crept across the dragonborns face from the event "I say we leave at dawn, get the most travel out of the daylight and then allows us to set up camp before dusk."

You spend the night in luxury in the Goldcannon Estate; you wake refreshed before dawn and complete a long rest.  Breakfast is served; it is, as always, quite excellent.

A servant awaits, holding three horses as per your request.  There is a brown mare who stares at you with disdain, a playful young black stallion who seems eager to set out, and a speckled grey mare who seems very interested in sniffing the small creature on Wash's shoulder; the creature is having none of it and flies up to circle overhead.  The horses don't appear to be startled by this though. 

(Feel free to pick and name your horse.)

Bririck shakes Alton and Balassar's hands, and hugs Wash.  Do come back when you're done, my friend.  If you want to.  If you go elsewhere, then please send word, and know you are always welcome in my home.  Please, stay away from the war if you can.  It would ease my mind.  And... he glances at the backpack where the package is stored, and then leans in to whisper something in Wash's ear.  Then he claps him firmly on the back.  Well, best not to drag these things out.  He hands you the coin for the job, and says goodbye.

Please add 50 platinum each to your inventory, and let me know what you plan to do.

Wash will allow the other two to choose their mount first and will take the horse that is left.

[75gp removed, riding horse added and the name will somewhat depend on which horse I get.]

Balassar just looks to the horses as he immediately begins walking towards the brown horse "This one." he says pulling out a sugar cube and offering it to the mare.

Alton looks at the remaining two horses and walks over the speckled gray mare and looks up at it with a smile. He hands over the money for the horse and walks over to Balassar sheepishly saying, "Um... would mind giving me a lift onto the speckled one, please."